My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 278

All day, Jabco barely spoke unless necessary. His tone was sharp in meetings. His patience thin. One small mistake from a manager earned a cold glare that made the room fall silent.

Riyana noticed everything.

She brought him lunch. He barely touched it.

She handed him files. He nodded without looking up.

The office felt heavy.

By evening, Riyana finally made a decision.

She had been sitting at her desk for almost twenty minutes, doing nothing, just staring at the drawer where she had kept the movie tickets. Her heart felt restless the whole day, like something was stuck inside her chest.

It doesn’t matter what he thinks, she told herself again and again.

I just want my heart to feel calm.

It was his birthday. She had forgotten it. That alone was already bothering her enough. If she did nothing now, she knew she would regret it later.

Slowly, she stood up, took the tickets from the drawer, held them in her hand, and walked toward his office.

She raised her hand to knock.

But before she could, she heard his voice.

“No, I’m busy. I already have somewhere to go.”

Riyana stopped. Her hand froze mid-air.

She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the door wasn’t fully closed, and his voice was clear.

“I won’t make it tonight,” he continued. “You guys enjoy the party. It’s on me. I’ll be late.”

Then the call ended.

Riyana stood there, staring at the door.

So… he already has plans?

Her fingers slowly curled around the tickets.

He’s going out with someone else?

The thought came uninvited and settled heavy in her chest.

Why didn’t he tell her?

But the next thought followed immediately, sharp and cold.

Why would he tell you? You’re just his secretary.

Right.

She was his secretary. She needed to know his work schedule, not his personal life.

Still, it hurt more than she expected.

She pushed the door gently and stepped inside.

“Riyana.”

His voice startled her.

She flinched slightly and instinctively hid the movie tickets behind her bag, pressing them against her side like they were something forbidden.

Jabco was standing near his desk, his phone still in his hand. His eyes were sharp, watching her closely.

“Yes, sir,” she said quickly, forcing her voice to sound normal.

“I’ve finished all today’s work,” she continued. “So… I’m taking leave early today.”

Jabco frowned. “You’re leaving already?”

“Yes,” she replied, nodding. “I have somewhere to go.”

She bowed slightly, professional and distant, then turned around before he could ask anything else.

She walked out of his office fast, her steps a little unsteady.

Jabco stood there, frozen.

She left.

Just like that.

His mind struggled to catch up.

He had turned down his friends’ birthday party because he thought… because he assumed… he would spend the evening with her, like always. Even if it wasn’t official, even if they never said it out loud, she had always been there.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify